By David Shepardson
WASHINGTON, March 9 (Reuters) - The White House said on Monday it had fired National Transportation Safety Board member Todd Inman after receiving reports of inappropriate behavior and failing to attend meetings.
White House spokesman Kush Desai said Inman was lawfully removed from the NTSB "after receiving highly concerning reports of inappropriate alcohol use on the job, harassment of staff, misuse of government resources, and failure to attend at least half of NTSB meetings."
Inman categorically denied the allegations made in the White House statement.
"It has become increasingly obvious this action was a political hit job. While not my original intent I look forward to defending my reputation through all legal means possible," Inman said in a statement.
Inman had clashed at times with NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy during his tenure.
The NTSB did not immediately comment on Monday.
Reuters reported on Sunday that Inman had been fired. Inman said on Sunday he had been fired on Friday by the White House without any reason given.
Inman, a Republican former chief of staff to Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao during President Donald Trump's first term, had served on the NTSB since March 2024.
He was the on-scene board member at the American Airlines collision with an Army helicopter in January 2025 near Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67 people and the November crash of a UPS cargo plane on takeoff from the Louisville, Kentucky, airport that killed 15 people.
The White House fired then-NTSB Vice Chair Alvin Brown in May. Brown, a Democrat who was the first-ever African American elected mayor of Jacksonville, Florida, has filed suit challenging his dismissal. No reason was given for Brown's departure.
The NTSB investigates all civil aviation accidents. The board investigates significant accidents in other modes of transportation - highway, marine, pipeline and railroad - and determines the probable cause of accidents and makes safety recommendations.
Late last month, the Senate confirmed John DeLeeuw, who had been managing director of safety and efficiency for American Airlines and a Boeing 787 captain, to fill Brown's seat on the NTSB.
(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
